South Fork coach knows what Sebastian's up against as Sharks football practice resumes

TCPalm's @JonSantucci is present as practice for the Sebastian River football team resumes this afternoon for the first time since the death of William Shogran Jr. on Wednesday. Here are some of the highlights:

3:55 p.m.: As the players practice in the cafeteria due to weather, coach Kevin Pettis praised the players' resiliency, saying the players are doing better than the coaches right now.

3:20 p.m.: Sebastian River considered not playing its Kickoff Classic against Jensen Beach next week, but players unanimously wanted to play. 3:15 p.m.: Sebastian River senior OT Marcus Norman said its important for the team to be together and back to practice and Coach Kevin Pettis said many college and high school coaches have contacted him to offer support over the past two days.

SEBASTIAN — South Fork High School football coach Dennis Lavelle unfortunately understands what Sebastian River’s coaching staff is going through.

Lavelle was the defensive coordinator at Miami-Christopher Columbus High School in 1975 when 15-year-old defensive back Julio Portela was struck by lightning during practice and died three days later.

“When (the lightning) struck him, they had just broken the huddle,” Lavelle said. “(Florida Power & Light) at the time estimated that he was killed by 10 million volts. That’s what I remember. That number stuck with me all these years.”

In total, 14 players were taken to the hospital and three were admitted. The season already had started, but the team canceled practices and postponed the upcoming game.

Lavelle said the team never considered canceling the season, though.

"Everybody became closer because everyone took care of each other."

-- South Fork coach Dennis Lavelle

“That’s what the boys wanted,” Lavelle said. “That’s probably what (Portela) probably wanted. They’re there because they love playing. As tragic as it is, it brought everybody closer. Everybody felt the pain. Everybody became closer because everyone took care of each other.

“It’s a real team concept. It’s like something happened to a brother or sister. Everyone comes together because someone needs help. Athletes are by nature stand-up people for the most part and they care about each other. It’s human nature when good people get together that they become stronger.”

Lavelle said he wasn’t sure what he would say to Sebastian River’s players, but would stress the need to act with honor.

“They should dedicate their effort and what they do in the classroom and on the field to make this an honorable season,” Lavelle said. “It’s not wins or losses, but everything they do from the sideline to the classroom to how they act in the hallway to the way they speak to their parents. They are all in this together.”